Archive By Author - Haley Atkinson

Kershaw County citizens who are currently coaching teams through the county's recreation department can now serve on the county's Recreation Advisory Commission. The change is a step closer to becoming official following a unanimous first reading vote of an amendment to the ordinance establishing the commission in the first place.

People seem to get nervous when they realize you're past 25 years old and not only unwed, but also not even close to being wed. I don't really understand why it worries people so much, but I try not to let it bother me. Someone, who will remain unnamed and un-described, recently asked me "Haley, when are you going to get married?"

The Kershaw County Library ran a Food for Fines drive earlier this fall. Patrons with fines were offered the opportunity to reduce the amount they owed by donating nonperishable food items at $1 towards fines per item. The donated food items were given to Christian Community Ministries (CCM) and also to Community of Hope Food Bank in Elgin and Bethune First Baptist Church to help stock their food pantries.

For Dr. Larry Parrott of Camden, this year's Marion duPont Scott Colonial Cup not only marked the 44th anniversary of the steeplechase event, but his 40th year of attendance. This year, he and his wife, Joy, along with their granddaughters, Bethany and Mabry Parrott, came out to tailgate, visit with friends and enjoy the races.

McCallum Sweeney Consulting (MSC), a Greenville-based consulting firm working with Duke Energy Progress (DEP), recently completed its evaluation of a potential industrial site called Emmanuel for Kershaw County.

Safety seems to be one of those things we talk about and know to be important, but don't really consider until it has been compromised. At least, in my experience, that tends to be the way it goes. This summer, when I was living in Mount Pleasant, a close friend of mine was part of a situation where his safety was really compromised. I was recently reminded of this situation and wanted to share it with others.

Suominen Nonwovens' primary product at its Bethune plant is nonwoven roll goods, such as baby wipes, floor mops, toilet wands, alcohol prep pads and undercast wraps. According to Plant Manager Darryl Fournier, its parent company is Suominen Corporation, located in Helskinki, Finland. The plant -- under various names and owners -- has been in Bethune for 60 years, Fournier said.

Three schools in the Kershaw County School District (KCSD) could lose their school resource officers (SROs) when grant funding ends in June 2014. KCSD Safe Schools/Healthy Students (SS/HS) Director Kevin Rhodes, who is also chairman of the Kershaw County Safe Community Commission, warned Kershaw County Council of the possibility during a presentation to council Tuesday evening.

One of my friends was griping to me recently about "the problem with my generation." He's slightly older than me and enjoys lecturing me every now and again on the troubles of the youth of America today. He said the problem with my generation is that we believe everything we see on YouTube.

Kershaw County Council will discuss awarding of sewer bids regarding two pump stations in Elgin at its meeting Tuesday evening. According to County Administrator Vic Carpenter, a portion of the budget was set aside for the rehabilitation of the two stations, called Elgin 1 and 2.

For the first time in a generation, Bethune will have a new mayor. In Tuesday's election, Bethune residents chose Charles McCoy as its new mayor. McCoy will take office Jan. 1, replacing Carlisle Davis who has been mayor for 24 years.